Special Counsel Jack Smith is actively seeking Supreme Court intervention in his politically charged case against President Donald Trump, aligning with the Democrats’ desire for a trial before the 2024 presidential election. Smith’s strategy, considered a move to expedite proceedings, involves an unorthodox leapfrogging of the appeals court to prompt the Supreme Court’s swift intervention on Trump’s claimed immunity from prosecution.
The New York Post op-ed suggests that while Smith aims for a rapid ruling in his favor, recent actions by the justices might result in a substantial delay of the trial start date, potentially extending beyond the 2024 election. Trump argues that he retains presidential immunity for actions during his term, a claim rejected by D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan.
Trump’s appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court follows the usual process, but Smith’s direct approach to the Supreme Court raises questions about the need for speed, as he fails to provide a clear explanation in his petition.
“Smith’s bull rush only makes sense as an effort to get to trial before the election.”
“With the trial dates of the other three pending criminal cases against Trump up in the air, Smith seems desperate to get to trial — the one most likely to capture the public’s attention,” the outlet added of the special counsel.
“He would like to see Trump a convicted felon, perhaps sitting in a prison cell, by Election Day.
“If Smith cannot move forward soon, Trump might even be free to campaign rather than sit in courtrooms.”
Trump campaign said in a statement:
“Crooked Joe Biden’s henchman, Deranged Jack Smith, is so obsessed with interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election, with the goal of preventing President Trump from retaking the Oval Office, as the President is poised to do, that Smith is willing to try for a Hail Mary by racing to the Supreme Court and attempting to bypass the Appellate Process.
“There is absolutely no reason to rush this Witch Hunt to trial, except to injure President Trump and his 150 million, at least, supporters.
“President Trump will continue to fight for Justice and oppose these authoritarian tactics.”
However, the op-ed from the Post suggests that Smith’s strategy may have already backfired. The premature involvement of the Supreme Court is likely to result in a delay of the anticipated March 4 trial start date that Smith is keen to maintain. According to ABC News, Judge Chutkan granted a motion from Trump’s attorneys to “stay” or temporarily halt the scheduled proceedings.
This stay is expected to delay the trial start date until the appeals process is complete, unless the case is entirely dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s determination of Trump’s presidential immunity. In response to Chutkan’s ruling, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign stated on Wednesday:
“This is a big win for President Trump and our rule of law, as it derails Deranged Jack Smith’s rush to judgment strategy of interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election in support of Joe Biden’s campaign.”
